The third winner of the Character contest is the young mage-in-hiding Chronos. The loss of parents and the discovery of hidden abilities is a common theme among many of the submissions, and we liked how Chronos fit into the setting that was presented to us and how the system of magic was presented in the setting. While hidden abilities are so often a starting point of a hero’s journey, Chronos hasn’t quite made it to that point, still working to get by in a world that would not accept her, which we thought was an interesting take on the concept.

In a world where the use of magic is strict and may only be used by those of pure breeding and years of

mastering, our protagonist Chronos was brought into a family of rebels. Her mother was a simple human

who sought an alchemist’s education, but her father was a much darker pedigree. His race was one

of Mystics, of which could manipulate the natural magic within a body, essentially taking it for

themselves. Hundreds of years ago, they were sought after by the council of holy magic users, who ruled

the seperate parts of the land. The council attempted to seize the magic of common peoples, under the

guise that it was far too dangerous to be used carelessly, when really they’d become greedy.

When their plan failed, people turned on the mystics, casting them out as cheats, no better than foxes.

People became scared of them, and eventually began to bully them to the point of being scared to walk

the streets. After hundreds of years, magic has since then been restricted heavily. However, Chronos’

family says otherwise. From a young age, her parents had guided her in the use of magic, though were

certain to hide it from the public eye.

All was going well for some time, and she’d become moderately well versed in magic, even into her teen

years. However, the council were not as blind as her parents had hoped. The Papillion family line had

established multiple underground hideaways for magic users, where one could practice, train or learn in

a safe enviornment. There were scares of being caught sometimes, but they never reached the surface

until Chronos was about 15. The hideaways were stormed by the councilmen and their familiars,

taking away whomever they could find and throwing them in jail, if they were lucky.

Chronos’ parents defended all they could, being sure to get their daughter to safety. Run, they’d told her,

to the edge of the city where the lanterns float on rooftops. In the chaos, a disoriented Chronos did as

told, sprinting across the city to find these “floating lanterns.” After some time, she’d made it to the

edge, finding only one dim light glowing above a doorframe. The outskirts were all seemingly empty

homes and the ivy that kept them company. In her exhaustion and dismay, she collapsed upon a

doorstep, though found herself in an entirely foreign room upon waking up.

Chronos soon came to find that an elderly cat-like woman was actually her savior. She’d explained that

the edge fo the city had been abandoned years ago, and that the magic users had been cloaking it to

make it appear as such. In actuality, the outskirts became alive at night, paper lanterns glowing upon

rooftops to show safe houses to those who were pure of heart.

Years had passed since that night,and Chronos was soon taken in by said woman, who’s name was Bora.

Together they lived on the outskirts with the other users who had escaped there, though Chronos was

the only one brave enough to venture to the heart of the city.

Now at the age of 19, Chronos poses a blind young man, selling potions and magics under a fake name

and license. She hides her eyes beneath a blindfold, as the Mystics can be indentified by their striking

pink eyes.

Personality wise, Chronos is a spirited young woman, who rarely takes no for an answer. She’s incredibly

opinionated and fiery, typically following her heart over her head. Admittedly, the events of her

childhood has hardened her, and though she does thrive on helping other’s, she can be a bit too brash

for people’s tastes.

She doesn’t hold back from how she feels, getting her into fights more often than not. Chronos can’t

afford to be found out though, so she tries to keep things to herself which rarely works out. At least

she can say she sticks to her guns, though.

Her Valor though, lies in her determination not only to find the truth out about her parents, but to free

all magic users of their shackles. She dreams of the day where she doesn’t need to change her gender